Housing Bubble in Puna?

[Nate SC]

I think you need to add the "internet" to the mix also. I bet there is a direct corelation between "hawaiiinfoserv"going online and the total volume of homes and land sold going up. It alowed people from anywhere in the world to buy and shop properties in Hawaii.

[Rob L]

Nate, I think that you are right. I searched for properties on line, met people who lived in the subdivisions that looked interesting on line, and contacted my real estate agent (John Dirgo) on line, before my very first trip to Hawaii. I had done the same with properties in California, but decided I like Hawaii better.

Robert C. La Mont

[jdirgo]

And I can't wait to see construction actually begin on your lots, Robert. I'm sure I'm not as anxious as you are to see it start, but I am excited about it.

John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell

[John S. Rabi]

John, I noticed you changed companies! Good luck with the new one!

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185

[jdirgo]

Thanks, John. It was not an easy decision (RE/MAX is a good company) but I was offered some good new opportunities and it felt like it was time to make a change. Of course, if we could have enticed you to the "dark side" to start your company, the decision might have been even harder. I might have had even more options to make my decision more difficult.

John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell

Edited by - jdirgo on 04/25/2006 17:48:35

[John S. Rabi]

You are right about that! Very few people know that my company is the only true 100% commission company in Hawaii. My agents pay a flat fee and they get 100% of the commission regardless of the number of closings. I have 18 agents and I had only one agent who left me in four years, not a small task in our high-turnover industry (he left on good terms.) I would love to have an agent on the East side but I don't think it would be feasible in the current situation. I have an agent who lives in Volcano and she takes care of my referrals to the South East side and another who lives in Honokaa, she takes care of the North Esat side.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185

[Rob L]

John, Do you have a website? I recomended you to friends, but I think i sent them to Remax.

The architects drawings go to builders on Monday for estimates. I'm waiting for "sticker shock" when the estimates come back.

Aloha, Rob L

Robert C. La Mont

[Lew P]

Why would anybody want to live in the Puna district even if real estate gets cheaper. The main reason people live on the island is to be able to have access to the ocean, and there are very few beaches in Puna, so why put up with rain, mold, coqui, rats and mosquitos, if you don't even have a beach nearby.

[Rob Tucker]

Lew, that is a rather narrow view of why people might choose to live in Hawaii. Not everyone is working on their tan here. I would submit that Puna, without beaches and with coqui and mold, is still a more natural environment than sucking exhaust in some traffic jam.

Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA

[JerryCarr]

There are quite a few places in Puna where one can swim in the ocean and enjoy the water and sea life. The fact that there are no long, sandy beaches does not put me off. Tide pools and the "vest pocket" beach at Kehena are fine for me. And then there is the rain forest, near-by Volcanoes National Park, the incredibly scenic Red Road, abundant gardening opportunities, unique markets and villages, and friendly, interesting people. Why would I want to live anywhere else?

Aloha to all,
Jerry